Business Plan 2016-2021 - YES FOR BIRKENHEAD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - Smith and Sons
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VOTE
E S F O R BIRKENHEAD
Y
H A N GE BUSINESS
C IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT
Business Plan 2016-2021
www.birkenheadbid.co.uk
“ The BID can bring new life back into our
town centre, and will encourage investment
“ It is key to the success of the BID that the
private sector takes the initiative by making
and greater prosperity for the area. Wirral the changes that they want. A successful BID
Chamber of Commerce will work closely will bring businesses closer together, creating
with our partners in creating a successful partnerships as we all work towards the
” ”
BID for Birkenhead. same goal.
Paula Basnett, CEO, Cllr Phil Davies,
Wirral Chamber of Commerce Leader of Wirral Council
Birkenhead Business Improvement District
1
What is a Business Improvement
District (BID)?
• A Business Improvement District or BID is a scheme where businesses located
within a designated area come together to fund initiatives and improvements to “ Birkenhead Business Improvement District is a partnership
between Wirral Chamber of Commerce, local businesses
their local area over and above the level already provided by the local authorities. and Wirral Council. As a partnership we believe a Business
Improvement District will deliver a clean and safe Birkenhead
• The creation of a BID is a democratic process, decided following a ballot of the
qualifying businesses within the proposed district. The BID lasts for a 5 year term that encourages and supports businesses.
and is funded by the ‘BID levy’ which is paid by the qualifying businesses and is Having taken on board the overriding concerns of the local
based on a small percentage of their business premises rateable value.
business community, the time is now right for businesses to seize
• The funds raised by the BID levy are then ring fenced and can only be used to fund the initiative and begin the process of returning Birkenhead to
projects and initiatives that will benefit the businesses within the improvement the vibrant, dynamic and prosperous town we all know it can be.
district, these projects and initiatives must be over and above any services already
This business plan details how Birkenhead Business Improvement
being provided by the local authorities such as the Council or Police.
District would collaborate with local businesses and Wirral
• Business Improvement Districts are a real success story because they work! Council to generate over £2 million across the next 5 years to
The concept originated in the 1970’s and Business Improvement Districts are now support initiatives and projects that will help create an
a global phenomenon, being used in towns and cities across the world as a tried environment where businesses can grow and prosper.
and tested method of enabling businesses to collectively fund the improvements
”
they want to their local trading environment. This can only happen with your support, Vote ‘YES’ for change!
• Currently there are over 200 BIDs operating in the UK with that number increasing
month on month. Locally Liverpool, Southport and Chester all have Business Alastair Gould,
Improvement Districts operating in their town centres and within 30 miles of McEwan Wallace,
Birkenhead there are BIDs under development in Altrincham, Northwich and Runcorn. BID Steering Group Chair
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 1
2
Why Does Birkenhead Need a
Business Improvement District?
Birkenhead is a special town, it benefits from a unique historic and cultural
heritage coupled with a long established retail centre and business community.
Birkenhead has excellent transport links with direct trains from both Liverpool
and Chester travelling to the very heart of the town.
With the motorway network on its doorstep the town is perfectly positioned to
take advantage of upcoming projects such as Wirral Waters and HS2.
Birkenhead also faces some real challenges
• The town is located between two cities who have
adopted the BID model as a way of investing in their
“ A Birkenhead BID
would enable the private
business communities and with ever increasing sector to take the initiative
numbers of out of town retail and trading districts by making the changes
the town runs the risk of being left behind. that they want. It also
• Recent years have seen the government cut funding
to local authorities and other public sector
gives the area the added
security of a guaranteed
”
organisations on a scale not seen for decades. level of funding for five years, allowing
This reduction in spending means we can no longer us to plan for the long term needs of
”
rely on the public sector to fund long term solutions the town and its businesses.
to the issues faced by businesses in Birkenhead.
Kevin Adderley, Strategic Director for
Regeneration and Environment at Wirral Council
2 Birkenhead Business Improvement District
• A BID is an initiative that is developed by businesses for businesses; the BID can
fund a broad range of initiatives and these will overlap different industries and
sectors meaning everybody would benefit in some way. It is the businesses
themselves who decide what projects and initiatives the BID supports and
therefore benefits them the most. There is no other scheme that currently exists
which allows businesses to do this.
Most importantly we must remember that
a Business Improvement District is a • Rest assured that Birkenhead BID is not a flash in the pan initiative that will run out of
funding after the next budget, it provides sustainable funding for a minimum of 5
democratic process and to enable these years, allowing the private sector to deliver a variety of projects aimed at improving
their business environment far over and above the level currently provided by the
benefits to be realised it requires your local authorities.
support, only the local business community
• The BID also has the advantage of bringing businesses together by creating one
can make this happen by voting ‘YES’ to voice for the business community and this will allow us to lobby public service
providers on the issues that matter most to the businesses in Birkenhead.
support the BID.
This leaves us in the Birkenhead business community with a simple choice,
we either do nothing and continue as we are, and run the risk of further
decline as public sector funding reduces services to a basic level or we seize
the initiative and take this opportunity to make the changes that businesses
in Birkenhead want. Birkenhead BID would deliver over £2 million of targeted
investment into Birkenhead town centre over the next 5 years giving us the
resources to make those changes.
“ The Pyramids support for Birkenhead BID
demonstrates our commitment to the town,
the BID will be of real benefit to retailers
and the wider business community by helping
to drive footfall and enhance the customer
”
experience.
Derek Millar, Pyramids Shopping Centre
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 3
3
BID Success Stories
PRESTONCITYCENTRE
BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT
Liverpool BID Company: Liverpool operates 2 BIDs Southport BID: Southport BID was introduced in 2014 Preston BID: Introduced in 2009, Preston BID’s success
within the city centre, its City Central BID was established and will deliver nearly £2.5 million over it’s 5 year term. has seen businesses vote in favour of a second term.
in 2005 and was one of the first BIDs in the UK. Currently Even in the BID’s short life it has commissioned a new BID achievements include investing over £85,000 to
representing 630 businesses its success is highlighted TV and radio advertising campaign, is in the process upgrade the city's CCTV network, Introducing a rolling
by the fact it is now in its third term. The City Central BID of supplying over 300 hanging baskets and planters programme of street washing for the BID area that
is responsible for co-funding of the UK’s first privately and the BID has also delivered 2 major new festivals has seen over 18km of the city’s pavements and
paid for police station, providing dedicated enforce- incorporating 8 new events/ activities aimed at driving walkways cleaned and employing four BID Ambassadors
ment patrols throughout the BID area. The BID supports footfall into the town. to act as a major deterrent to criminal activity and
additional street cleaning and funds programmes of www.southportbid.com. providing a first point of call for dealing with reports of
events such as last year’s city centre zip wire, litter, graffiti, and anti-social behaviour.
meanwhile Liverpool’s Commercial District BID provides www.bidpreston.co.uk
services to business including a project to improve
broadband access and has co-funded a £1.4m public
realm improvement scheme.
www.liverpoolbidcompany.com
The highlights detailed above only touch on some of the benefits being enjoyed by hundreds of towns and
cities around the UK who have introduced a Business Improvement District as a way of investing in solutions
to the local issues they face. By doing nothing we are immediately putting Birkenhead at a disadvantage,
Birkenhead BID gives us a one-of-a-kind opportunity to realise similar benefits but we need your support
to do this.
4 Birkenhead Business Improvement District
“ Marks and Spencer have chosen to support
Birkenhead BID as we have seen the positive
impact BIDs have had on stores in other areas.
We also recognise the benefits a BID will bring
not only for our business but for our customers -
the BID will create a town that is cleaner and
safer, with a programme of events that will
give customers a reason to choose
”
Birkenhead.
Chrissy Verdin, Store Manager, Marks & Spencer
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 5
4
Consultation & Engagement
To ensure the BID reflects the ideas and addresses the needs of the businesses it
represents, we have been involved in a detailed consultation process to develop
a BID that works for you. Since 2014 Wirral Chamber of Commerce and Birkenhead
BID have engaged with stakeholders in various ways, enlisting several different
communication channels including:
• One to one meetings - Our BID co-ordinator and • Twitter - We maintain an active Twitter feed
steering group members have been meeting with @birkenheadbid updated with the latest news
individual businesses. and events.
• Focus groups - We have held focus groups to • Letters - Over 2000 letters and postcards have
discuss the outcome of our questionnaires and been posted to businesses.
brainstorm ideas.
The feedback you gave us through the above This consultation
• Electronic surveys - We have hosted surveys on methods has helped us to develop the proposals and engagement process will
our website asking businesses for their views and in this business plan.
opinions on the town and feedback on our draft
continue should the BID be
business plan. To ensure Birkenhead BID spreads it’s message we successful, in order to ensure
have developed our website www.birkenheadbid.co.uk that the BID always meets the
• Face to face surveys - We have approached and have a dedicated twitter feed @birkenheadbid
businesses directly to identify their priorities. to deliver up to the minute information about the BID needs of the businesses
as well as building an ongoing relationship with the it represents.
• Question & answer session - Held at our launch local press.
event.
6 Birkenhead Business Improvement District
So far...
Over the last few months we have delivered a Hamilton Square: During the month of July we held a Selfie Marketing Campaign: In June Birkenhead BID
programme of projects and events to demonstrate the series of weekly events to breath life back into one of joined forces with Juice FM and The Pyramids Shopping
benefits a BID could bring. the towns landmarks. Birkenhead BID paid for a police Centre to deliver the Birkenhead Selfie campaign aimed
patrol every weekday between 12-2pm in an effort to at bringing people into the town and driving footfall.
Clean-Up: Between 1st and 5th June Birkenhead BID reassure businesses and encourage them to take Over a four Week period Juice FM listeners were
arranged a clean-up of the Charing Cross area of advantage of the square over their lunch hour. To support encouraged to visit Birkenhead and take a selfie at the
Birkenhead. The clean-up focused on Borough Road, the increased level of security Friday afternoons played Juice FM displays spread across the town centre. This
Whetstone Lane, Oxton Road and Grange Road West host to the ‘Summer Sessions’, a 4 week programme of was followed up with promotional trails, radio coverage
along with the connecting alleyways and car-parks. live music performances by some of the regions finest with over 100 on-air mentions and digital media reach-
The clean-up lasted 5 days and over 150 bags of musical talent which aimed to revitalise the area by ing over 185,000 Twitter and Facebook followers.
rubbish along with several van loads of larger items such bringing people back into the square.
as sofas and fences were removed. The clean-up also • By supporting the BID we can fund a dedicated
dealt with graffiti, removed overgrown plants and • By supporting the BID we can make better use of marketing campaign aimed at bringing people
planted new shrubs and seeds. the town’s public spaces and discourage crime into all areas of the town.
and anti-social behaviour by bringing people
• By supporting the BID we can make these clean-ups back into the town.
more regular and roll them out across the whole
of the town centre.
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Birkenhead Business Improvement District 7
5
BID Steering Group
A steering group was established to develop the BID. The group is made up of members of the local business
community along with representatives from the local authority who all have a genuine desire to help change
Birkenhead for the better. Members of the steering group have recognised the benefits a BID can bring to the
town and over recent months have invested their time and expertise by meeting on a regular basis to give
guidance and direction. The group consists of:
Paula Basnett - Wirral Chamber of Commerce Alastair Gould - McEwan Wallace
Kevin Adderley - Wirral Council Chrissy Verdin - Marks and Spencer
Derek Millar - The Pyramids Shopping Centre Paul Griffiths - McDonald’s
Ian Millington - Hillyer Mckeown Nigel Hughes - YMCA Wirral
Councillor Jean Stapleton - Wirral Council Chris Johnson - Smith and Sons
8 Birkenhead Business Improvement District6
What Will Birkenhead BID Deliver?
Based on feedback from the consultation process we have identified 4 main themes that Birkenhead BID will focus on:
CLEAN AND ATTRACTIVE 4
SAFETY AND SECURITY 4
MARKETING AND PROMOTION 4
SUPPORTING BUSINESS 4
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 97
Clean and Attractive - 5 Year Budget £550,000
Birkenhead currently receives a standard level of funding for cleaning and maintaining the town’s general appearance.
Birkenhead BID would provide an enhanced level of cleaning and develop the attractiveness of the town in different
ways including:
• Providing colour to the districts thoroughfares and • Monitor existing cleaning and maintenance
approaches with banners and planting. provisions provided by the relevant local
authorities and ensure service standards
• Supply new and renovate existing street furniture. are maintained.
• Arrange regular clean-ups of rubbish hotspots. • Lobby local authorities for
improvements to existing cleaning
• Fund street deep cleans. and maintenance services.
• Introduce new and update problem litter bins.
• Contribute towards the recruitment of
Town Centre Co-ordinators to undertake
environmental audits to quickly The BID funded
identify and help eradicate clean up of the Charing
hotspots.
Cross area collected
over 150 bags
of additional rubbish in
an area already cleaned
Nigel Hughes,
YMCA
on a regular basis
10 Birkenhead Business Improvement District8
Safety and Security - 5 Year Budget £500,000
Birkenhead is no different to any other busy town and is a relatively safe place to
trade and do business. However like most towns and cities there will always be
issues with low-level crime and anti-social behaviour that play a major part in
influencing people’s perception of the town. Birkenhead BID aims to tackle these
issues using various methods including:
• All BID businesses would become eligible to join the • Providing access to a Crime Reduction Officer.
Wirral Against Business Crime Scheme (WABC) scheme
free of charge, the current membership fee is £300
per year. The scheme currently operates the online
• We will work with our partners in the charitable and
public sectors to tackle all forms of anti-social
To support the summer
Database and Intranet for Safer Communities (DISC) behaviour. sessions Birkenhead BID
information sharing website and maintains the retailer
radio frequency. Birkenhead BID would further • Monitor the existing safety and security provision paid for 40 hours of
resource WABC to carry out an increased number of provided by the relevant local authorities and
crime and public safety initiatives. ensure service standards are maintained. Police patrols around
• The safety and security budget would contribute • Lobby local authorities for improvements to existing Hamilton Square
towards the recruitment of Town Centre Co-ordinators safety and security services.
employed to act as liaison between the businesses
and police, provide security patrols, gather
intelligence, engage in community safety projects
and provide a further security presence in the Arfon Williams,
business district to discourage and disrupt anti-social Crime Reduction Co-ordinator WABC
behaviour.
• Funding training for town security staff to act as first
responders.
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 119
Marketing and Promotion - 5 Year Budget £375,000
We realise the importance of marketing
and promoting the town to both the
public and wider business community,
Birkenhead BID would support further
marketing and promotion by various
methods including:
• Developing a year round programme of events aimed
at bringing more people into the town.
• Delivering a dedicated social media campaign to
specifically promote BID businesses.
• Raising awareness of Birkenhead’s geographic benefits When Birkenhead
and transport links.
BID partnered with
• Working with partners to sell the town to Juice FM on their ‘selfie’
potential investors and businesses who could
relocate here. campaign we received over
100 on-air mentions, 6,290
• Supporting existing marketing and promotion
campaigns
unique web page views
and reached 241,000
listeners
12 Birkenhead Business Improvement District10
Supporting Business - 5 Year Budget £250,000
Any initiative that makes Birkenhead a cost-effective place for businesses to
“ AEV is a proud and longstanding
Birkenhead business, and we recognise
how a safe, clean and well-resourced
operate will not only help benefit existing businesses but also make Birkenhead
town centre can bring benefit not only
a more attractive proposition to potential new businesses. This will help boost
to our business, staff and customers,
the local economy for the benefit of us all. Birkenhead BID will extensively but also to the wider business
explore methods to save money and support businesses in various ways including: community. We therefore pledge our
support for the Birkenhead Business
• We will take advantage of our collective buying • Offering incentive packages to emerging businesses
”
and businesses moving into underused areas. Improvement District.
power to negotiate discounts on business costs
such as waste collection, utilities etc. Jonathan Kemp, Managing Director, AEV
• Working with landlords and key partners to
• Offer free and subsidised staff training opportunities bring empty premises back into use.
to BID members.
• The BID would use its collective voice by
• Developing the Birkenhead BID website to include speaking up for businesses and lobbying
a business database and place for businesses to the local authorities on the issues that
display offers and network. matter to them.
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 1311
Baseline Provision
Birkenhead BID is committed to providing value for money for levy payers and
ensuring that the BID cannot be used to subsidise or replace services which the
local authorities have an obligation to provide. The rules that govern Business
Improvement Districts state that the services a BID provides must be in addition
to or over and above those already provided by the local authorities.
Birkenhead BID will ask Wirral Council and other statutory Birkenhead BID will regularly monitor these baseline
Baseline
service providers to provide details of their current
baseline provision (historically known as a ‘baseline
agreements to ensure we only ever support projects
and initiatives to a level over and above those already
Provision
agreement’) which will outline the existing level of service provided.
that they already provide within the BID area. This baseline
“
gives us a standard against which we can measure BID
initiatives that may overlap existing services to ensure The bid will ensure it only
that the BID levy only funds services and projects over
and above this level. Birkenhead BID will ask for baseline
ever funds initiatives over and
agreements relating to: above what the local authorities
• Cleaning and appearance
have an obligation to provide,
this guarantees the BID will
• Safety and security provision
always provide added value
• Levels of police coverage and not simply subsidise the
”
• Marketing and events
local services.
14 Birkenhead Business Improvement District12
Adelphi Street Europa Boulevard Morpeth Wharf Tower Wharf
Albion Street Europa Square Mortimer Street Trinity Lane
Argyle Street Exmouth Street Oliver Lane Tunnel Road
Barton Street Florence Street Oliver Street East Twelve Quays
Birchwood Ave Freeman Street Oxton Road Walton Street
Where will the BID operate? Borough Rd East George Street Pacific Road Watson Street
The map below shows the boundary for Birkenhead BID. Borough Road Grange Precinct Park Street Whetstone Lane
Brandon Street Grange Road Parkfield Ave Wilbraham St
Bridge Street Grange Road East Parkfield Place Wood Street
Brook Street East Grange Road West Pine Court Woodside Ferry Approach
Brunswick Mews Hamilton Lane Price Street William Street
Canning Street Hamilton Square River Street Dacre Street
Cardigan Ave Hamilton Street Robert Street Rendel Street
ST
AN
Charing Cross Hemingford Street Salisbury Street Marcus Street
EM
RD
SH FIC
ACI
FRE
OR
CA ER P
O Chester Street Henry Street Sandford Street Sidney Street
ST
NN
T
AD
DS
IN
RD
G
LOR
FO ST
BRO
Claughton Road Hinson Street Shore Road Woodside Ferry
ET
ND
OKE
ST
TRE
STE CLE
SA
ET VEL LE
AN
NS
JO
GY
DS
TRE HN Cleveland Street Jackson Street Simpson Street Woodside
TSO
AR
ET ST
BIRKENHEAD
WA
P RIC
E ST
Clifton Crescent John Street Sisters Way Great Western House
REE
T
ET
CON Conway Street Kendal Street St Anne Street Rosebrae Court
WA
Y ST STRE
REE
T
STER
LOR
NS Cross Street Kings Square St Annes Close Athol Street
T
CHE
MA
DAC
RKE
T ST Douglas Street Kinmel Close St John Street Gertrude Street
RE HIN
ST SON
ST Duncan Street Lord Street St Laurence Drive
ROAD
HTON
CLAUG Egerton Wharf Lorn Street Taylor Street
A41
Elgin Way Marion Street Thomas Street
KINGS
Elm Street Market Street Tower Road
JACKSON ST
AD
D
ROA
RO
H
O UG Roads highlighted in red form part of the BID’s outer boundary, certain sections of these
N
BOR
TO
OX
roads are split down the middle and only properties and hereditaments located on the
inside of this boundary will be included in the BID. These include: Borough Road - From
• Addresses will be taken from the National Non-Domestic Rates Database.
Chester Street to Whetstone Lane, Chester Street - From Bridge Street to Borough Road,
• All hereditaments (properties) within the boundary line are included in the BID. Exmouth Street - From Claughton Road to Watson Street, Watson Street - From Exmouth
• Some roads on the outer boundary are split down the middle, only properties Street to Rendel Street, Rendel Street - From Watson Street to Canning Street,
on the inside of the boundary line are included in the BID. Tower Road - From Canning Street to Tower Wharf
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 1513
Projected Income and Expenditure
Budget
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Total levy contributions £435,517 £435,517 £435,517 £435,517 £435,517 £2,177,585
(100% collection rate)
Total levy contributions £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £2,068,705
(95% collection rate)
Income 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Levy contributions £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £2,068,705
(95% collection rate)
Expenditure
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total
Clean and Attractive £110,000 £110,000 £110,000 £110,000 £110,000 £550,000
Safety and Security £100,000 £100,000 £100,000 £100,000 £100,000 £500,000
Marketing and Promotion £75,000 £75,000 £75,000 £75,000 £75,000 £375,000
Supporting Business £50,000 £50,000 £50,000 £50,000 £50,000 £250,000
Employment, Legal and £56,271 £56,271 £56,271 £56,271 £56,271 £281,355
Administration
Collection Costs £22,470 £22,470 £22,470 £22,470 £22,470 £112,350
Total £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £413,741 £2,068,705
The Levy forecast is derived from the data provided by Wirral Council in the Non-Domestic Rates list
16 Birkenhead Business Improvement District14
How much will you pay?
Qualifying businesses will make a payment towards the BID each year for five years.
This payment is called the BID levy and will be calculated at 1.5% of the rateable value
of your individual property (hereditament) according to the 2010 rates listing.
The BID levy is collected on behalf of Birkenhead BID by Wirral Council through
your business rates and can be paid either in one lump sum or in monthly instalments.
The funds are paid into a separate account solely for the use of the BID.
You are not paying additional business rates you are paying the BID levy, the
Business Rates scheme is simply the mechanism used to collect the BID levy.
Rateable value Annual charge
£10,000 £150
£20,000 £300
£50,000 £750
£100,000 £1,500
£500,000 £7,500
“ Wilko’s is passionate about Birkenhead
and the opportunity to make it a more vibrant
”
BID Levy @ 1.5%
town that offers its visitors a great shopping
experience. A BID will allow us to realise
In some cases where businesses have a low rateable value it would not be financially
Birkenhead’s potential by bringing businesses
viable for the BID to collect the levy, because of this we have applied a lower rateable
”
value threshold of £6,000. Businesses with a rateable value below the threshold will together to make a real difference.
not be asked to contribute financially to the BID nor will they be able to vote on it’s
creation. When the BID is established we will look to introduce a voluntary contribution Dave Gibson, Store Manager, Wilko
scheme for smaller businesses should there be a demand.
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 1715 What if I vote ‘No’?
• A ‘NO’ vote means your business is against a Business Improvement District for Birkenhead.
• A ‘NO’ vote means we will not have the resources to fund the projects and initiatives we have identified in this business plan.
• A ‘NO’ vote means the £2 million investment in Birkenhead town centre that the BID could generate would not materialise.
• A ‘NO’ vote will give competing towns and cities an advantage over Birkenhead as they adopt Business Improvement Districts
as a way of investing in what matters to them.
• A ‘NO’ vote means nothing will change and the town’s future will remain in the hands of others and out of our direct control.
• A ‘NO’ vote would be a disaster for Birkenhead and a massive opportunity missed.
Hundreds of other towns and cities are already experiencing the benefits a BID can bring.
Don’t miss this opportunity, Vote ‘YES’.
The Ballot
The creation of a BID is decided following a ballot of all the qualifying businesses. If your rateable value is
£6,000 or over and you are located within the BID area you will be given the opportunity to vote. This vote
“ Birkenhead BID will bring real value to all
businesses regardless of their industry or sector.
will have a massive impact on the future of Birkenhead, a ‘YES’ vote will give businesses the opportunity to It’s this diversity which gives the BID its strength as
take the lead in deciding how over £2 million will be spent in the Business Improvement District over the it brings all these different businesses together to
next 5 years. For the BID to be approved the ballot must meet two tests: work towards the common
• More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote in favour. good of improving our
”
business environment.
• The total rateable value of those businesses voting in favour must represent a greater rateable
value than those voting against.
Ian Millington, Hillyer Mckeown
Voting commences on the 4/11/2015. You will receive your ballot paper by
post, simply fill it out and return it in the envelope provided by 1/12/2015.
18 Birkenhead Business Improvement District16
Who will run the BID?
If the BID is successful ‘Birkenhead BID’ will continue as a subsidiary of Wirral Chamber
of Commerce who would employ a BID Manager.
Birkenhead BID would be managed by its own board of directors and keep its own set
of audited accounts. This set-up ensures the BID would be independent, transparent
and accountable to its levy payers while keeping management costs to a minimum as
Wirral Chamber will provide any management and financial support required.
All BID levy payers will be entitled to join the BID Company which will allow you to
stand for election to the BID Board. Board members would not benefit financially by
being a member of the BID Board.
The Board will be made up of up to 12 members including the Chair and the BID
Manager. The BID manager would be a non-voting board member.
What is Wirral Chamber of Commerce?
Accountability
Birkenhead BID will be accountable to the Levy Payers who fund the scheme.
• The fastest growing Chamber of Commerce in the UK To ensure the BID delivers what is set out in the business plan we will survey all levy
payers on a yearly basis asking them gauge the BID’s performance against the 4 areas
• Re-launched in 2014 of focus:
• Accredited by British Chambers of Commerce • Safety and Security
• In 2014 helped businesses create 970 new jobs • Clean and Attractive
• Marketing and Promotion
• Last year generated investment of more than • Supporting Businesses
£26 million into the borough
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 1917
Essential Information
Ballot rules: The Levy:
• Each business rate payer will have a vote provided they are A. listed on the • The BID levy will be 1.5% of each hereditaments rateable value for the full five years
Non-Domestic Ratings List on 1/10/15 (when notice of ballot is given by Wirral as detailed in the NNDR rates list 2010.
Council) B. sit within the BID boundary C. have a rateable value £6000 or more. • There is no distinction to be made between occupied or unoccupied
• In November 2015 the person with authority to vote will receive a ballot. hereditaments.
• All votes must be returned by 1st December 2015 by 5pm. • The BID levy will not be affected by the small business rate relief scheme.
• For the BID to go ahead two conditions must be met: • Any exemptions will be made at solely at the discretion of the BID board.
- More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote in favour. • The Local Government Act 2003 enables the Local Authority to issue a bill for a
- The aggregate of the rateable values of the ‘yes’ votes must represent more than BID Levy. The Local Authority shall collect the BID Levy and hold such sums in the
50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast. BID Revenue Account.
• Under the legislation, if these conditions are fulfilled payment of the 1.5% levy • The levy will be charged according to chargeable day procedures. It will be
becomes mandatory for all eligible businesses, regardless of how they voted. based on the 2010 ratings list records for each hereditament in the BID area taken
• A “yes” vote for Birkenhead will mean that the additional activities promised will at the September 2015 data capture point. The data capture point is referred to
start happening in April 2016. The first invoices will be sent in March 2016 in order in the Operating Agreement with Wirral Council which any potential levy payer
to prepare for this. may request.
• The BID area, the BID levy percentage and the criteria of businesses eligible cannot • Businesses may become liable to pay the levy where they were not previously, for
be altered at any stage during the 5 year lifetime of the BID without a full alteration example where a hereditament in the BID area that was absent from the ratings list
ballot. This is to protect ratepayers and provide certainty of BID levy costs. is subsequently added. In such cases, the rate payer for that hereditament will
• Board Members (and Company Members) will not gain financially from taking on become liable for the levy from the next billing run for the next year of the BID.
the position of BID Director. New hereditaments will not be retrospectively charged for previous BID years.
• If a business leaves the BID area in the BID period, they will be removed from the
list at the next billing run.
• There will be no other adjustments of the BID levy during the year and no refunds
will be paid for businesses which are removed from the ratings list during a
financial year.
• The non-payment of the BID Levy will be pursued via debt recovery procedures
and court action where necessary.
• Wirral Council will charge £35 per BID levy demand to cover collection costs, this
will be reviewed at the end of year 1.
20 Birkenhead Business Improvement DistrictKey Dates: Who is involved?
• The proposed BID will last five consecutive financial years from 01/04/2016. • The liable person to pay the BID Levy is the ratepayer liable for non-domestic rates
• All eligible businesses will be entitled to vote for the BID proposal in a 28 day in respect of the Hereditament. The chargeable period will be the 5 year BID Term
postal ballot which will commence on 4th November 2015 and voting will close from 01/04/2016. No account will be taken of the rating revaluation in 2017, unless
on 1st December 2015 at 5pm with the results announced as soon as is possible a hereditament is shown in that list for the first time, in which case the rateable
after the result is known on the BID website and publicly displayed within the value shown in that list will be used.
Town Hall. • The only exception to the above will be any change of use or a physical change to
• The levy will be calculated for each hereditament on an annual basis and billed in a property or hereditament. Any adjustments will not take effect until the following
time for the start of each year of the BID. billing run.
• The levy will be charged according to chargeable day procedures. It will be based • The BID Levy will apply to all hereditaments located within the Birkenhead BID
on the 2010 ratings list records for each hereditament in the BID area taken at the boundary area. A map of this boundary is available on page 15.
data capture point referred to in the Operating Agreement with the Local Authority. • Hereditaments with an NNDR (National Non-Domestic Rates) address on the
This will ensure the completeness and accuracy of the rateable value listing used outside of a boundary road will not be included in the BID.
for generating bills each year. • Businesses with a rateable value that is below £6000 will not be liable to pay
• The Operating Agreement will be made available on request by a potential the BID levy.
levy payer.
Birkenhead Business Improvement District 21What next?
Vote ‘YES’ and support Birkenhead BID
Birkenhead Business Improvement District is a one of a kind opportunity for businesses to
take the lead in deciding the future of the town.
The projects and initiatives identified in this business plan would make a real difference to
Birkenhead. Every business in the town regardless of sector or industry would benefit in
some way.
KEY DATES
• Delivery plan and campaign launch – 2nd September 2015
• Ballot starts – 4th November 2015 Carl Critchlow,
BID Co-ordinator
• Ballot closes – 1st December 2015
BIRKENHEAD
BUSINESS
• Ballot results announced – After 2nd December IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT
• BID starts five year term from – 1St April 2016
For further information about Birkenhead BID please contact:
Carl Critchlow - BID Co-ordinator
Tel: 0151 650 6940
Email: cc@wirralchamber.co.uk
www.birkenheadbid.co.uk
@birkenheadbid
Wirral Chamber of Commerce, Egerton House,
2 Tower Road, Birkenhead CH41 1FNYou can also read
